Benedict Cumberbatch
Actor Benedict Cumberbatch poses as he arrives for the European premiere of the film "The Imitation Game" at the BFI opening night gala at Leicester Square in London October 8, 2014. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett

Benedict Cumberbatch is the latest name linked to take on the Marvel superhero Doctor Stange.

According to Deadline, the “Sherlock” star is the studio’s choice to play the character for a feature film after negotiations with Academy Award nominee Joaquin Phoenix ended unsuccessfully. Talks between Cumberbatch and Marvel are reportedly set to begin.

The 38-year-old actor is hardly the first big-name star to be associated with playing Doctor Strange. Since the beginning of the year, there have been several actors who were reported to be in talks with the studio. Johnny Depp was reportedly being courted for the role, as well as Tom Hardy, Jared Leto, Ewan McGregor, Ryan Gosling, Ethan Hawke and Colin Farrell.

However, none of these actors have emerged with a contract.

Cumberbatch’s involvement in the project isn’t also backed by proof or confirmation from either Marvel or the actor’s camp, so for now, it’s just a rumour that may or may not take root.

The film will be directed by Scott Derrickson from Jon Spaihts’ screenplay. It is slated to start production in May 2015 in the UK for a July 2016 release date.

Cumberbatch’s 2014 and 2015 are already jam-packed, though it looks like he can squeeze in time for Doctor Strange shoots if he gets the project. He stars as Alan Turing in the thriller “The Imitation Game” and as the dragon Smaug in the last instalment of Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit” films, “The Battle of the Five Armies” for this year.

For 2015, he will be heard in the animated film “Magik” and seen in the crime drama “Black Mass.” He will also star as the titular character in the theatre production of “Hamlet.” In television, he will reprise his role as “Sherlock” in the fourth series of the show, which will begin production in January.

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